Fluid-Infusing Inner Member for Reduced Blood Loss in Thrombus Aspiration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical catheters struggle to efficiently aspirate dense thrombi while minimizing blood loss during the procedure, as they often unintentionally aspirate blood when the catheter tip is not fully engaged with the thrombus.

Innovation Solution

An aspiration system with an inner member configured to fit within the catheter lumen, featuring a rigid distal portion that deploys outward to disrupt and segment the thrombus, and a proximal fluid flow to direct thrombus segments into the catheter while minimizing blood aspiration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the catheter tip is not fully engaged with the thrombus, then the catheter can be easily positioned, but blood is unintentionally aspirated during the procedure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter positioningVSAvoidblood loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid distal portion is deployed in advance to mechanically engage and secure the thrombus before aspiration begins. This preliminary mechanical engagement ensures that the catheter tip remains firmly positioned on the thrombus throughout the aspiration procedure, preventing unintended blood aspiration while maintaining ease of initial catheter positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If a rigid member is deployed outward to disrupt the thrombus, then thrombus segmentation efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrombus removal efficiencyVSAvoidcatheter structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid distal portion is nested within the catheter lumen during storage and delivery, and only deploys outward when needed at the treatment site. This nesting approach allows the catheter to maintain a simple, low-profile structure during navigation while incorporating the thrombus-disrupting rigid member that enhances thrombus removal efficiency when deployed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Speed

If fluid flow is directed proximally to direct thrombus segments into the catheter, then aspiration speed is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaspiration speedVSAvoidfluid flow energy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces reliance solely on high-energy suction with a combined mechanical-fluid approach. The rigid distal portion mechanically segments the thrombus into smaller pieces that are easier to aspirate, while the fluid flow provides only auxiliary directional guidance rather than requiring high energy input to move large thrombus masses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively reduces blood loss and shortens aspiration time by mechanically breaking up thrombi and using fluid flow to direct thrombus segments into the catheter, enhancing the efficiency of thrombus removal.

Implementation Method 1

The rigid member defines a larger cross-sectional dimension than the elongated support structure, and may be deployed distally outward from the aspiration catheter lumen via a distal opening of the catheter to contact and disrupt (e.g., break-up or segment) the thrombus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

a clinician may direct a flow of a fluid, such as saline, from a plurality of openings defined by a proximal-facing surface of the rigid member, which may help direct portions of the thrombus into the distal opening of the catheter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid Flow:

Implementation Method 3

A suction force may be applied to the catheter lumen to aspirate the segmented thrombus portions into the distal opening of the catheter for removal from the vasculature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS12446902B2Aspiration system including fluid-infusing inner member

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

In some examples, a medical system includes an aspiration catheter defining a catheter lumen; and an inner member configured to be received in the catheter lumen and extend distally outward from a distal opening of the catheter, wherein the inner member comprises an elongated support structure configured to move axially within the catheter lumen; and a rigid member at a distal portion of the elongated support structure, wherein a proximal-facing surface of the rigid member defines one or more openings configured to deliver a fluid into vasculature of the patient to dilute or displace a volume of blood aspirated from of vasculature through the catheter lumen.